Latest
Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
- 20/12/2005 15:32
Saracens have a chance of making the quarter-finals for the first time, but first they must complete the second half of a double over Benetton Treviso – and earn a bonus point in the process.
Should they do so they will be on 17 points and will then face the huge challenge of beating Biarritz Olympique in France in Round 6.
But the London side are full of confidence, and have performed above many people’s expectations in this year’s competition.
Their visitors this week are winless in the Pool, and have never made it past the Pool stages. They are playing for pride, but should find Saracens too strong at home.
- 20/12/2005 15:32
The Guinness Premiership outfit scored four tries tries to clinch a vital bonus that keeps two points behind pool leaders Biarritz who they face in France next weekend.
But they had survive a gutsy performance from Treviso who led three times in the first half thanks to tries from Brendan Williams and Marius Goosen.
Outside-half Goosen converted one and added five penalties in a 22-point haul that earned him the man of the match award.
It looked as though he could have set Treviso on their way to a first win of this season’s Heineken Cup when he skipped over after just five minutes only to see Dan Scarbrough reply for Saracens two minutes later.
The lead continued to change hands in a free-flowing game as centre Dan Harris and then prop Kevin Yates went over for Saracens either side of Williams’ try for the visitors.
But Saracens finally took control when Mark Bartholmeusz crashed over on the stroke of half-time to open an 11-point lead and secure the bonus point.
Goosen slotted over three more penalties in a far tighter second half but Glenn Jackson was also on target as Saracens clung on to their cup ambitions.
LIVE - TEST - Commentary